Book a Flight to Manchester with Qatar Airways

Famous globally as the home of Manchester United FC (often known as ‘The Red Devils’), Manchester has had a similarly substantial impact on British culture and industry over the years.

The city is seen by many as the ‘Capital of the North’, and offers visitors flying to Manchester everything from historical sights and world-class shopping to cosmopolitan dining and major sporting events. Book a flight to Manchester with Qatar Airways to discover why it’s often referred to as the UK’s second city.

Tourist attractions

Manchester was one of the powerhouses of the Industrial Revolution, and this is evident in its skyline of former textile mills. There are many places where you can discover this industrial past during your trip to Manchester, including the Museum of Science and Industry and the waterways of the Manchester Ship Canal.

For football fans (and particularly those of MUFC), a tour around the legendary turf of Old Trafford is an essential stop on your trip to Manchester.

Manchester has plenty of museums and cultural attractions, including the Gallery of English Costume, the Imperial War Museum North, and the Peoples History Museum. The eponymous Manchester Museum contains a selection of more ancient exhibits dating to the time of the dinosaurs and Ancient Egypt.

Leisure activities

Manchester is well known for its lively reputation, and throughout the city there is an abundance of venues for enjoying live music, from the latest rock and pop acts to the freshest faces on the Manchester scene.

If you’re taking a trip to Manchester during the festive season then you might like to visit the outdoor ice-rinks in the Spinningfields area of the city, or the Christmas markets that take place just in front of Manchester’s imposing town hall in Albert Square and elsewhere around the city centre.

Eating in Manchester

There is a cosmopolitan scope of options available when it comes to dining in Manchester. Simon Rogan’s Mr Cooper’s House & Garden restaurant is particularly popular, and is located in the Midland Hotel – something of a landmark location in the city. Other top quality dining experiences are to be found at The French, and Michael Caines’ restaurant at the Abode Hotel. But there’s also an abundance of more affordable international fare, from Greek Cuisine on Wilmslow Road to pizza in the Northern Quarter.

If you find yourself in the mood for a curry while visiting Manchester then take a walk down ‘Curry Mile’ – a stretch of the Rusholme area dominated by takeaway restaurants from South Asia and the Middle East.

Shopping in Manchester

Travel to Manchester and you’ll find a wide range of shopping opportunities for all budgets. The main shopping streets and the substantial Arndale Centre can be found in the city centre. There are also a number of large indoor shopping complexes located further out, including the colossal Trafford Centre.

Keep an eye out for some of the city’s most exclusive stores on Deansgate. There’s also plenty of shopping to be done among the boutiques in the Millennium Quarter. Fans of alternative fashion and music should make a trip to Affleck’s Palace in the Northern Quarter, where dozens of independent sellers sell everything from band t-shirts to ‘Goth’ jewellery.

Cultural considerations

Those more familiar with London and other areas of southern England may find the attitudes and accents of Manchester and the north to be somewhat different.

Don’t be surprised if total strangers engage you in conversation on public transport or in bars and other public spaces.

Travel requirements

Visa restrictions for entry into the country will depend on your country of origin, length of stay and whether your trip is for business or pleasure. So before you fly to Manchester please check the visa and passport requirements.